In a statement on the Ospreys' official website, King said: “Obviously it’s great news for me, I’m really pleased to have got this contract sorted nice and early. It means that I can just focus on rugby for the next three years, and it’s good not to have any distractions.

“I’ve been here seven years now, since I was 18, so this region is my home. There's intense competition for places at the Ospreys, particularly in the positions I play, so I consider myself fortunate to have had so many games over the last few seasons.

“That competition is what’s needed if we want to keep building on what we have done over the last few seasons. We still have a young squad and we know that if we keep working hard and pushing each other, then we can improve as individuals, and as a team, over the next few seasons. It’s an exciting time for the Ospreys.”

James King takes George North down

The 6ft 4in winner of three Welsh caps has been at the Liberty Stadium since 2008 and has played in the second-row and across the back-row in that time.

King follows Nicky Smith, Matthew Dwyer, Joe Bearman, Tom Grabham, Tom Habberfield and Dmitri Arhip in signing new deals since the start of the year while skipper, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb have all signed National Dual Contracts with the WRU.

In addition, Paul James, Brendon Leonard, Gareth Delve and Kristian Phillips have been confirmed as new arrivals.